City hall deserves a break
Editor:
I could not disagree more with Kenny Lau’s complaint (letter to the editor, Jan. 4) that city hall’s closure during the week of Dec. 24 to Jan. 1 was “not right.”
“A whole week of no service,” he decried. He went on to point out that he, as a civil servant in Hong Kong, had to work during public holidays because “we understand the public has a right to obtain our services too.”
What Mr. Lau needs is an understanding of and a sensitivity to what most Canadians value —family life and leisure time. In Hong Kong, it is not uncommon for people to work six days a week, 12 hours a day. Consequently, there is very little time for family or leisure. This is not what Canadians want.
Mr. Lau should embrace the Canadian way of life rather than wanting Canadians to emulate the Hong Kong way. Don’t look at the people at city hall as civil servants, but as family men and women who deserve time with their families during what is traditionally the time of year to be together with loved ones.
And really, what is so important to do at city hall that could not wait for a week? I’m quite certain that most Richmond residents do not begrudge city hall employees getting Christmas week off. Mr. Lau should stop playing Scrooge and accept it too.
Douglas Ng
Richmond
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